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EL DORADO SPRINGS, Mo.— The Missouri Department of Economic Development
(DED) today announced Cedar County has achieved official designation as a Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC). The
initiative helps communities validate the skills and knowledge of their
emerging, transitioning and current workforce to the business community.
“By
becoming a Certified Work Ready Community, Cedar County will be able to
validate the quality of its workforce to the current business community as well
as to prospective companies looking for a place to grow. With 39 counties now
certified, Missouri is becoming more globally competitive. As these numbers
grow, we will have the upper hand when putting our name in the hat for major
expansion and attraction projects that would result in job creation in our state,”
said Acting DED Director Mike Downing.
"The
recognition associated with being a Certified Work Ready Community demonstrates
Cedar County’s commitment to not only economic growth and development but also
the future of our youth and their ability to prepare for opportunities in the
workforce. As other counties in our area gain certification, we are becoming a
work ready region," said Cedar County Presiding Commissioner Marlon
Collins.
 By
leveraging the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and achieving CWRC
status, Missouri communities demonstrate they have the necessary partnerships
in place to attract, develop and retain a workforce, with the education and
fundamental skills to succeed in the 21st Century. In order to be
considered for the designation, communities must obtain the support from a
determined number of businesses in the community and the workforce must earn a
certain number of certificates. To date, Cedar County’s workforce earned 227
certificates and 25 area businesses signed letters of support for the
initiative.
"In addition to being an economic tool to attract new
businesses, Work Ready Certification benefits individual participants and
existing businesses in our community," said Cedar County Economic
Developer Marge Vance. "Individuals who earn a NCRC can differentiate
themselves from other applicants when applying for a job. By having a
meaningful way to match skills with job requirements, employers
who are hiring can reduce the cost associated with lost productivity caused by
high employee turnover."
The ceremony was held at the Cedar
County Memorial Hospital. Local supporting employers include the hospital, Community
Springs Health Care Facility, Hammons Products, Dunbrooke Apparel, Fugate Motors
and more.
In
2012, Missouri was selected to be one of the first four states to participate
in the CWRC initiative, and in 2013, Jasper County became the first CWRC in the
nation. Missouri now has 84 counties that are actively participating in the
CWRC initiative and 39 fully-certified counties. New certifications are
considered on a quarterly basis.
CWRC status makes communities
more attractive to businesses because it offers a feedback loop for what’s
needed by different players in the dynamic 21st Century workforce.
Specifically, benefits from CWRC certification include:
- Workers better
understand what skills are required by employers and how to prepare themselves
for success.
- Businesses can
more effectively communicate their workforce needs to area education and
workforce training programs.
- Educators have
better tools for closing any skill gaps by establishing career pathways for
students with stackable industry-recognized credentials.
- Economic
development organizations are better equipped with an on-demand reporting tool
to promote the quality of their workforce.
For more information about
CWRC and how to apply for certification, visit https://ded.mo.gov/getcertified.
Help us spread the news through Facebook and Twitter! If you’re looking for a great place to visit, live, get an education, or start a business, you can find resources and information at mo.gov or ded.mo.gov.
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